Sharana
“Keep doing more of the things that make your heart sing.”
Sharana is a multifaceted professional with a forensic science background and a strong passion for the world of beauty. These areas of interest are carried seamlessly into her blog, where she illustrates her experiences in STEM, as well as the ways in which she practices self-care. Some of these avenues include her podcast, True Crime & Toxicology, where she covers the scientific framework that encompasses criminal cases, as well as written reviews for products such as make up, nail polish, and skin care lines. She has always valued expressing herself without peer judgement getting in the way, and has found valuable and educational ways to share these passions with others. Meet Sharana. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
S: Hi! I'm Sharana (she/her), a forensic scientist & beauty enthusiast currently living in Philadelphia. I'm originally from Connecticut, but moved to PA in 2015 for graduate school and I've lived here ever since. I work part time as a content creator and blogger, sharing my life as a multi-passionate woman in STEM. I love working in science, but I also love painting my nails, trying new skincare products, and learning about photography and photo editing! My blog (www.sharanadarcel.com) is my way of combining all those interests into one place, and to show that women in STEM can have fun lives outside of work too.
I also host a podcast called True Crime & Toxicology, where I share a true crime story and then break down the science behind the story. Watching TV shows like CSI & Forensic Files are what got me interested in forensic science in the first place, so this show is my way of giving back to the community and hopefully inspiring the next generation of scientists.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
S: The best word to describe me is multi-passionate: I always want to do a little of everything! I'm also a big kid at heart: I love playing video games and wearing fun clothes. Even though I take my work seriously, I try not to take life too seriously and to remind myself to have fun along the way.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
S: My favorite thing about myself is my willingness to learn new things. I'm always down to learn new skills and hobbies, even if it's just for fun and not necessarily work-related. That trait definitely does help at work because I know I have skills that others don't have, and it makes me stand out.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
S: Grad school definitely made me stronger. I went from living at home with my parents and working a job that paid pretty well, to moving four hours away and living on my own while starting a Master's program with no idea what to expect. In the beginning it wasn't that bad, but as classes went on and got more difficult, I had a harder time balancing everything I needed to do while still making time for myself. During those two years, I learned to speak up for myself more, ask for help when I couldn't do it all on my own, and had to remind myself that done was better than perfect. Now that I'm on the other side, I can see just how much that program challenged me and helped me grow into the person I am today.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
S: BE YOURSELF! There were times I stopped doing things I really enjoyed because I didn't want to be seen as weird or nerdy. If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I'd tell her to keep doing those things and that there's other people out there who enjoy those same nerdy hobbies, so you aren't alone. Keep wearing those shirts featuring your favorite books and shows, keep playing those video games, keep going to trivia nights, keep doing more of the things that make your heart sing.
